Offending and the Intersection with Victimization

Extensive evidence suggests that offending (the perpetration of a crime) and victimization (being harmed by a criminal act) have a strong connection. Childhood victimization is particularly salient to female offending during adolescence and young adulthood. In addition, female offending poses risk for further victimization as a result of exposure to and relationships with male offenders. Finally, in the context of family and intimate partner violence, females may be viewed as both victims and offenders. Some perspectives suggest that violence is gender symmetrical while others contest that females' use of violence is in self-defense rather than as provocation.